Keep it Real
How to ensure automatic compliance to your systems
Keeping it real means the system guides the experience and describes the expected output. Not following it has natural and automatic consequences.
Many times, this is not how systems are built because there is a natural tendency to make it theoretical; or put in too much detail.
This makes it look perfect, but when people actually go to use the system, it does not hold up. For e.g., in an SOP, writing where to click is usually redundant, unless it’s not obvious.
Here are the disadvantages:
Too long to read. People are unlikely to read unless compelled
Difficult to follow along and do
Difficult to track execution across minute detail
Too much to update if anything changes
Compare this to an SOP that keeps it real; for e.g. wearing gloves and masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Short & to the point (wear gloves & mask)
They are clear pointers to what needs to be done for the desired outcome (avoid public & sanitize often)
The desired outcome itself is very clear (stay alive & out of danger)
Easy to follow along and keep track of (most cases could trace back to when the steps were not followed)
Similarly, the systems in your business should be curated to the most necessary steps only. The sweet spot is where:
Anything more is a distraction & anything less is incomplete information.
Salud!